Crime & Safety

DA Confirms Teen Was Student of Victim; Autopsy Will ID Cause of Death

A new statement was released by the district attorney's office confirming some details in the case.

Essex County District Attorney Jon Blodgett's office released another statement Wednesday evening on the case against 14-year-old Philip Chism, repeating much of the information Blodgett told reporters that morning, but also confirming some details.

The statement does confirm Chism was a student of Colleen Ritzer's, a popular 24-year-old math teacher at Danvers High.

The DA's office also says Chism was initially reported as a missing person by a family member at approximately 5:34 p.m. on Tuesday.

Authorities have not released a specific timeline yet on the murder, beyond four basic points -- the time of surveillance footage showing Chism entering a school bathroom (2:45 p.m.), the time he was reported missing, when a call came in saying Ritzer was missing (11:17 p.m.) and when Chism was found in Topsfield (12:30 a.m.).

Authorities have also not officially identified a weapon in the murder nor exactly how Ritzer was attacked, although numerous reports now say she was stabbed to death.

The latest statement says the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

“I wish to express my condolences to the family and friends of Colleen Ritzer who was by all accounts a much-loved teacher,” Blodgett said. “This is a horrible tragedy that is having a tremendous impact on Essex County communities.”

The statement also confirmed prosecutors intend to seek a grand jury indictment for murder, which can only be tried in superior court, and therefore Chism will be treated as an adult in court.


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